Hesperiidae : Eudaminae
Proteides mercurius (Lucas, 1857)
Cuban Mercurial Skipper
Proteides mercurius (Lucas, 1857)
Cuban Mercurial Skipper
Description and Similar Species: Wingspan 58-70mm. Sexes similar. Forewing upperside is dark brown with a bright golden yellow base to the wings that also covers the head and thorax. The only two other similar skippers with yellowish head/thorax are P. maysi May's Skipper which has a plainer hindwing underside with central white spots, and Epargyreus zestos Zestos Skipper that has a row of large yellow spots visible on both sides of the forewing. Note also the narrow white bands crossing the abdomen which are absent or much fainter in May's Skipper. The endemic subspecies santantonio is the only one of the eight subspecies of P. mercurius that has no white spotting on the upperside forewings other than the two small white dots on the costa visible in the photo above.
Range: Southern USA to Argentina and many of the Caribbean islands.
Status: In Cuba it is said to be common though in five visits we have seen it just once. The subspecies santantonio is endemic to Cuba and is found in all open area habitats from the coast, rivers, farmland and mountains.
Nectar Plants: Chromolaena odorata, Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, Tournefortia hirsutissima, Lantana camara, Lippia alba and on damp ground.
Larval Foodplants: Various genera in the Family Leguminosae including Dalbergia, Cassia, Vigna, Rhynchosa and Abrus.
Range: Southern USA to Argentina and many of the Caribbean islands.
Status: In Cuba it is said to be common though in five visits we have seen it just once. The subspecies santantonio is endemic to Cuba and is found in all open area habitats from the coast, rivers, farmland and mountains.
Nectar Plants: Chromolaena odorata, Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, Tournefortia hirsutissima, Lantana camara, Lippia alba and on damp ground.
Larval Foodplants: Various genera in the Family Leguminosae including Dalbergia, Cassia, Vigna, Rhynchosa and Abrus.